PAST experience tells Simon Eastwood not to panic at Oxford United’s indifferent start to the season.

But the goalkeeper knows two positive results this week would give the U’s a massive boost.

Eastwood was part of the United sides that made slow starts to the campaign in 2018, 2019 and 2020, but they recovered each time – reaching the play-offs in the latter two seasons.

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With three points from three games it is still early days and the goalkeeper reckons the U’s are not far off ahead of tonight’s visit of Lincoln City.

Eastwood said: “Everybody wants to start well and get as many points as you can, but I’ve been here when nine or ten games in we’ve really struggled.

“I obviously don’t want it to be like that again, because you don’t want that pressure.

“If you can get a couple of wins under your belt that soon goes away and you just roll along with the season.

“The games that we’ve had have all been close, it’s just that little bit of luck and trying to put away the few chances that have come.”

Eastwood has started the season as first-choice goalkeeper, despite Jack Stevens getting the No 1 shirt earlier this summer.

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The 33-year-old had held the jersey since his arrival in 2016 and shook off the setback.

He said: “I was a little bit disappointed but at the end of the day it’s just a number.

“You can sulk, but I think that only goes one way.

“I wanted to prove a point to myself, but Jack deserved it.

“Last season we probably shared half the games, but my aim was whatever number I was to come back in good shape.

“I’m 33 now, I’ve been around a bit and know how it all works. It just shows a number’s a number, it doesn’t really mean anything at all.”